EUGENE, Ore. -
On day one of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Indiana track and field advanced Robby Nierman through to the finals of the men's steeplechase. The junior advanced on time to the 12-man final, giving IU a steeplechase finalist for the fourth-straight season.

Nierman ran a career best time of 8:46.58 to take the final spot in the 12-man steeplechase final. His time is .37 second improvement on his career best and ranks ninth in school history. Freshman Josh Roche ran 9:10.77 for 20th overall and 10th in his heat. Nierman will run in the final at 8:40 p.m. ET on Friday.

Scott Houston matched his season and outdoor career best of 5.25m (17-2.75) for 21st place in the men's pole vault. The clearance ranks ninth in IU history.

The NCAA Outdoor Championships continue in Eugene, Ore., on Thursday. For complete coverage of all things IU track and field, stay tuned to IUHoosiers.com.